New Youth Initiative

Mon, 11th Jul 2016 7:19pm

A welcome addition to the club's Youth initiative will mean yet more selection opportunities for the club's coaching staff and further endorses Clyde F.C.'s ambition to widen the search for potential first team players from within.

The decision by East Stirlingshire FC to restructure their youth set up means that a predominantly under-17 set up, with its own facilities, has been able to seamlessly join the Clyde structure in what is hoped will be the first of a number of regional affiliated clubs.

Former chairman and director of The Shire, Tony Ford was behind the move and said: "I have always endorsed the belief that all clubs, and especially those with strong community links, should give opportunity to youth on and off the pitch and I was delighted to be able to see committed coaches, families and players have the opportunity to continue development within a professional structure.

"It was a wrench to step down from The Shire board but I wanted to see the genuine opportunity for youth development progress and I look forward to supporting this exciting initiative. We have an excellent and highly professional coaching team, led by Jules Greggain who I consider one of the best in the business and I know will be a superb asset to Clyde Football Club."

The newly endorsed Clyde under-17 youths are based at Kelpies Park adjacent to the Grangemouth Stags Rugby Club, Falkirk, which has probably the best backdrop anywhere with the hugely popular Kelpies at the south end of the facility. The team already has players at Scotland level and Greggain added: "The set up here in Grangemouth is our own and with a new training/playing pitch and full changing facilities, it’s a fantastic opportunity to really get stuck in.

"We only have one word here and that's 'Professional' in that everything we do on or off the park is to that end. We are busy changing the colour scheme in the pavilion and the guys are really enthused to be pulling on a Bully Wee shirt. I would like to think both staff and fans of the club, our club, would come and see what we are all about. You will be made welcome."

Clyde director John Alexander commented, "It’s great to have a committed group that are excited to join the club without any pre-conditions other than the opportunity to give young players a chance to progress their careers in football. Hopefully that commitment and professionalism will pay off and we will see teams from other regions also keen to join."